COVENTRY footballer Laura Healy will line up against the big names from the women's game when the new season kicks off....

COVENTRY footballer Laura Healy will line up against the big names from the women's game when the new season kicks off.

The 21-year-old, from Brackley Close, Coundon, faces the likes of Doncaster Belles and Arsenal Ladies following the promotion of Leeds United Ladies to the top flight.

And the former Coundon Court School pupil is keeping her fingers crossed for some strong early performances to push her into the England frame.

She joined the Yorkshire club three years ago when she started a degree course in the city. Before that, she spent four seasons with the Sky Blues.

At the time she moved, the clubs were both in the Northern Division. But last season Leeds won promotion to the Premier Division.

Laura, who will combine football with her final-year studies, said: "I'm really excited. Ever since I started playing football, that's the league I've wanted to get into.

"I want to get myself back into the England squad. This is the league you have got to be playing in to get there."

So far, the highlight of her career was an appearance in the Women's FA Cup Final two seasons ago, when Leeds lost 2-1 to Croydon.

Laura, who has already been capped at under-18 level, will take her place in defence for Leeds next season.

Football runs in the Healy family. Laura's father, Mick, was a semi-professional player and her brother Brett was a promising midfielder with Coventry City before injury cut short his career, and later Nuneaton Borough.

Although Brett and Mick had played together competitively in the past, all three family footballers had never done so until last week when Laura was invited to join their regular six-a-side team.

Her father said: "She plays at a good standard and didn't look out of place."